A Mother's Day

She has a problem.

But what to do with it?
Which road to take?

She could lug it to the surgeon.
Turn him upside down.
Watch ancient antidotes
flutter from his turn-ups
to the ground.

But what can he do with it?
Now!

She could take it home
and watch her husband bawl
and her children cry?

She could knock on the door
of her friend
and talk.

It's good to talk they say.
A problem shared.

But now she discovers
she has grit and gravel
in her mouth.
Lead in her boots.

Her throat hurts.
She can't walk.
She can't talk.

It's a problem.